When purchasing pigeons for breeding, it is important to know the main differences between the male and the female in order to select the right individuals. Pigeons do not have pronounced sexual characteristics, and those that exist may be applicable only to specific breeds. To distinguish a pigeon from a dove, you need to know the pedigree features and basic rules when determining sex.
How to distinguish a pigeon from a dove
The basic rules are drawn from the exterior and behavior of wild pigeons. In nature, the male is always larger. The main task of the female is to raise offspring, so she must be inconspicuous to predators, and therefore have a low-key gray plumage. These birds create stable pairs, so the difference is especially noticeable in two individuals when they are near. 
In the process of breeding new breeds, the above signs are no longer absolute. And now for sex determination also take into account:
- head size, beak;
- color;
- exterior: size, color of feathers, the structure of the pelvic bones;
- behavioral characteristics, including voice, behavioral features.
Did you know? Pigeons have a unique eye structure. He is not afraid of any bright light or laser flashes.
By beak and head
The male is distinguished by a high, steep forehead, a more powerful and short neck, a large rounded head. The female is sleeker and has a small head on a longer neck. The eyes of the dove are larger and more expressive. The beak and stem of the male are coarser and thicker. 
Matters and age individuals. The young pigeon is smaller and more elegant than the old one. Dimensions are taken into account within the same breed, since males of small and medium-sized breeds are always smaller than large-breed individuals.
By color
Females have a soft plumage. Male color is more intense, often interspersed with additional colors:
- more intense neck color;
- the presence of metallized reflux of the neck.
Did you know? In nature, wild pigeons do not sit on trees. They prefer rocks. That is why urban individuals love monuments - they remind them of rocks.
By the size of the birds
The male is always larger, with a massive body. At the same time it is more difficult. The female is slimmer, shorter, with a small head. Please note that some ornamental breeds have larger females. This fact is necessarily described in the exterior signs of the breed. 
According to the structure of the pelvis
To determine, take the bird in your hands and stroke it in the lower abdomen. Closer to the tail you will feel two thin bones. The distance between them in the female is about 1 cm, and in the male they are located very close to each other.
Important! Females of all pigeon breeds for egg-laying need the presence of a male. Therefore, some breeders go to the trick and equip the egg-laying site with a mirror.This method does not work for birds that have had diseases of the bones, including rickets. When purchasing pigeons for breeding, keep in mind that such individuals will not give you absolutely healthy offspring.
By voice
It is believed that the male's voice is rougher, the sounds that he makes are sharper and louder. Females mostly make cooing sounds. In the mating season, with a loud roar the male demonstrates his power to his rivals. 
By behavior
Two males in a cage usually resolve issues of hierarchical superiority and can fight. Doves are more calm. In two opposite-sex birds in one cage, fallowing begins. The dove takes a proud pose and begins to care for the dove.
If the fan does not like the female, she runs away from him. In the marriage period, the partner fluffs feathers, puffs up the goiter, coos loudly and spins around the partner. Taking care of her, she quietly coos, crouches on her tail and bows.
Did you know? Despite their adaptation to the cold climate, most of the 300 species of pigeons on the planet live in the tropics.
Folk method
To determine the floor is taken brass or copper pendulum. It is centered over the back of the bird. If he is swinging in a circle - this is the female, if he is swinging along the body - the male. Another popular method is stroking the breast. 
The male in this situation is pressing the legs, and the female is not. Scientific justification of folk methods for determining gender does not yet exist.
Important! Pigeon meat is 6 times more nutritious than chicken. And if you add any berries to the bird’s ration 2 weeks before serving, then the meat will be even more tasty and fragrant.They are based only on the long-term experience of pigeon breeders. It is believed that if you pull the bird by the beak, then the dove will react to this calmly, and the dove will begin to pull out.
Video: the way to determine the sex of pigeons
Peculiarities of pigeons in the mating season
Pigeons are monogamous birds. The pair is formed, as a rule, for life. During the marriage ceremony, the male circles around the pigeon, expressing his emotions with a loud coo. He inflates his neck, fluffs up feathers on his tail, flaps his wings. The female may or may not accept these advances. If she reciprocates her partner, she tilts her head, coos in response, sits down on her tail, nods her head.
Find out where you can see pigeon chicks, how to breed pigeons, and how to make a dovecote.
After the ceremony, the birds rub their beaks, brush their feathers. To avoid difficulties in determining the sex of pigeons, use the knowledge of the main differences between the male and the female, and also do not forget to get acquainted with the information about the features of the exterior of a particular breed.
